Memo to: 4-H and FFA Livestock and Horse Exhibitors

FROM: Gage County Ag Society / Gage County 4-H Extension

RE: Checking of Animals at the 2020 Gage County Fair

We have been informed that a horse in Gage County has tested positive for Vesicular Stomatitis.
A quarantine has been placed on this farm by the State of Nebraska. Therefore, under the guidance of our State Veterinarian, we are taking precautions to try to prevent the spread of this contagious disease
by checking all livestock entering the fairgrounds. An attachment provides the details about this disease.

Please note the following for beef and equine check in on Thursday, July 23rd, 2020.

1. ALL trailers must exit off Highway 136 on to Logan Street
2. NO animals will be permitted on the grounds until 6:30 am
3. Further information on entering the grounds will be given at the front gate.
4. Animals will be visually checked by a veterinarian. Please have halter on your animal.

Should any animal be suspect for this disease, they will not be allowed to participate in any shows and will not be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds. Please understand that we are being very cautious for the protection of all species. Because this is a time consuming process, all livestock and horse show may not start on time and may last longer than we anticipated.

SWINE EXHIBITORS PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the complexity of checking swine we are highly encouraging swine exhibitors to have their personal veterinarian issue health papers which indicate their animal is negative for vesicular stomatitis. Unloading of your animals will be much quicker if you have health papers in hand.

Thank you in advance for helping us work through this problem. For a more detailed explanation of this disease, please visit the United States Department of Agriculture website.

Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease which primarily affects horses, cattle and swine. The agent that causes vesicular stomatitis, VSV, has a wide host range and can occasionally infect sheep and goats. In affected livestock, VSV causes blister-like lesions to form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves, and teats. These blisters swell and break, leaving raw tissue that is so painful that infected animals generally refuse to eat and drink and show signs of lameness. Severe weight loss usually follows, and in dairy cows a severe drop in milk production commonly occurs. Affected dairy cattle can appear to be normal and will continue to eat about half of their feed intake.

Download this Memo HERE

Pee-Wee Exhibits

Enter exhibits: Tuesday, July 21, 4:00 pm, 4-H Building.
Youth under age 5. No enrollment, Non-competitive. Ribbon awarded. Pick up exhibits Sunday, July 26, 1:00 – 7:00 pm
Sponsored by: Gage County Agricultural Society

CLASSES
A. I Love Cookies – 1 cookie (3-4″ in Ziplock Bag)
B. My Own Garden – 1 vegetable, flower, or potted plant
C. Play Dough Art – maximum 6″ x 6″ base
D. Craft Stick Art (popsicle sticks, etc.)
E. Textile Art (felt, fabric, or fiber)
F. Lego Fun (maximum 12″ x 12″ base)
G. Go Big Red
H. Exhibit of Choice

Pee-Wee Showmanship

Non-competitive contests for youth, pre-4-H age. Showmanship is offered at specified times during livestock, poultry/rabbit & small animal shows. No dress code. Animals may be borrowed or brought from home, except swine, must use a hog already on the grounds. In beef & dairy shows, older youth/adult must accompany exhibitor, animal should be small.
*Exhibitor can only show once during the fair. Each exhibitor will decide the species you prefer.
Ribbon awarded. Farm Credit Services of America and Gage County Agricultural Society provides drawstring bag to all participants.

Approximate Times
Wednesday, July 22:
Dairy @ 10:45 am
Dairy Goat @ 12:00 pm

Thursday, July 23:
Horse @ 10:30 am
Beef @ 12:00 pm

Friday, July 24
Sheep @ 10:30 am
Meat Goat @ 11:30 am

Saturday, July 25
Hogs @ 11:00 am

Sunday, July 26
Rabbits @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Broilers @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Poultry @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Download Information for Pee-Wee Showmanship HERE.